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5 Cover Letter Tips You Can Use A.S.A.P. – 10/7/2011

This article will go over simple strategies you can use to create a powerful (and succinct) cover letter. Jobseekers frequently wonder about just how to structure this document. Is it separate from the resume? Do I really have to go through the process of creating an entirely new one for every job I apply to? We’ll dispel some of these myths, keep things simple, and hopefully get you well on your way to landing more interviews.

1. Address it to a Person Whenever Possible

While you can always start a cover letter with “Dear Sir/Dear Madam” this should ONLY be used as a last resort. I can’t stress enough how much of a difference addressing the cover letter to a real person makes when submitting to jobs. Not only does it leap out amongst a sea of anonymous submissions, it sends a clear message that you’re willing to go above and beyond for this opportunity. Check the job posting carefully to see if a hiring agent or similar is listed. Check the employer’s website. If you’re submitting through a connection who works at the company, ask him or her to obtain this information. The extra time you spend here can pay off exponentially in the form of more interviews.

2. Understand a Cover Letter’s Function

The sole purpose of a cover letter is to pique interest in reading your resume. Don’t make the mistake of inserting skills and details that can’t be easily followed up in the resume. Instead, think in terms of creating a “teaser”, a very brief introduction that communicates the position you’re applying for, contains a few relevant skills and accomplishments PULLED DIRECTLY FROM YOUR RESUME, and promises a follow-up within a stated period of time. Utilizing this approach is the best way to prevent confusion on the part of recruiters and hiring agents, who often scan hundreds of resumes for a particular position.

3. Open Strong

Start the cover letter with a brief paragraph that quickly communicates the position you’re applying for as well as in-demand skills. For example, a candidate for a Family Medicine Physician might have an opening paragraph that looks like this:

I am a board-certified Family Medicine Physician interested in and passionate about rural health. I worked at an outpatient/clinic-only practice and shared an after-hours call schedule, primarily handling calls from the 75-resident nursing home. I am confident in my abilities to excel as a healthcare provider at your medical practice.

*Quick Tip: Play up those skills which are mentioned frequently in the job posting (and which you possess). This immediately shows that it’s not a “blind” submission while underlining your suitability for the job.

4. Include 3-4 Career Highlights

The best way to structure a resume’s work history is to separate unique responsibilities (in paragraph form) from key accomplishments (in bullets) for every major position you’ve held. Why does this matter when constructing a cover letter? Because this is where you can reap some significant side benefits of using that approach:

After the opening paragraph, include 3-4 key accomplishment bullets taken directly from your resume. Again, review the job posting to better identify the MOST RELEVANT bullets to include. For example, a Family Medicine Physician might have a bullet that looks like this:

• Specialized in women's health with OB/prenatal care.

Including a few career highlights makes an immediate impact in terms of presentation and content…and that’s exactly what you want out of a cover letter.

5. Promise to Follow-Up

Clearly setting a timeframe with regards to following up, and then actually doing so, is something many job seekers neglect to do. Truth is, following up can mean the difference between your submission getting lost in the shuffle and an interview.

Here’s an example of an effective cover letter closing paragraph:

Please accept this letter and enclosed resume as an introduction to my skills and background. For a more detailed presentation of my offerings and how I can best benefit your organization, feel free to contact me at your earliest convenience to schedule a conference. I’ll also follow up with you in 2 weeks’ time regarding my candidacy. Thank you in advance for your consideration and I look forward to our conversation.

About the Author

Anish Majumdar is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) and Owner at www.ResumeOrbit.com. 95% of clients report a significant increase in interviews within 30 days, and all work comes backed by a 100% Satisfaction or Money Back Guarantee (in writing).